International rescue for Pearce

CITY boss Stuart Pearce believes he has international class in numbers to make sure they avoid a repeat of last season's late collapse. The Blues' Carrington training ground has been a quiet place this week because they have had so many players away on duty for their countries. But the manager takes that as a good sign.

CITY boss Stuart Pearce believes he has international class in numbers to make sure they avoid a repeat of last season's late collapse.

The Blues' Carrington training ground has been a quiet place this week because they have had so many players away on duty for their countries. But the manager takes that as a good sign.

No fewer than 11 City players were selected for international duty, although Emile Mpenza returned to Carrington after pulling out of Belgium's squad with hamstring and thigh problems.

The striker has a chance of being fit for Saturday's trip to Newcastle and, as long as everyone else comes back without picking up any injuries, Pearce is certain that there will be no repeat of the dreadful finish to last season which saw his side lose nine of their final 10 Premiership matches.

Chances

No-one is pretending City have an easy run-in, with home games against Liverpool and United and trips to Arsenal and Tottenham still to come.

But with games against Charlton, Fulham, Watford and Aston Villa also coming up after Saturday's trip to Newcastle, Pearce knows that the Blues will have chances to collect the 10 points they need to beat last season's final tally of 43.

And with so many internationals on his books - eight were selected for their full squads, while Joe Hart, Michael Johnson and Daniel Sturridge were picked in their respective age groups for England - Pearce is confident that he has the quality at hand to push for a positive finish to a difficult season.

"I think one feather in the cap at the club is the fact that we've got 11 current internationals," Pearce said. "I can't remember the last time we had that sort of number.

"As long as we can make sure that we go into the back end of the week and we've got everyone as fit as they are now, that's the important thing.

"This time last year we had 10 injuries, including Joey Barton, Claudio Reyna and Andy Cole, which cost us dearly in the run-in.

"At the moment, we've got Nedum Onuoha, Trevor Sinclair and hopefully Danny Mills coming out of the treatment room to join us. So if all goes well with those, and the others stay fit, we've near enough a full squad of players fit and available."

Important

Pearce has placed great importance on keeping a proper perspective during a season which has flitted between the verge of a European challenge and a relegation battle.

"It's important to keep a level head," said Pearce. "Since Boxing Day we've won four and lost five in the league. If you bolt Cup matches on to that as well, we've won three Cup matches and only lost one. So, all of a sudden, maybe it doesn't look so bad.

"But it's important that, between now and the summer, we make sure we get the results that push us further up the league."

And having survived the speculation surrounding his job in the build-up to the win at Middlesbrough, Pearce thinks it's time people were less pessimistic.

"There are a lot of positives," he added.

"Michael Johnson was outstanding in his performance at Middlesbrough, considering it was only his second start for the club.

"We think he's got a bright future, and we had the confidence in him to put him straight in the side."

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